Friday, June 17, 2011

How to Get that Bikini Bod in Just 2 weeks!

So many people procrastinate until the middle of June, and just wake up one morning and realize that summer is only 2 weeks away! well if you are one of those people then don't fret, i can show you some exercise moves and a couple of food tips that can help you get your idea bikini bod!

                          


Exercise!

I know, I feel your pain, but there is a way to make exercising somewhat enjoyable. Try picking out some fat burning activities you do like. For example recreational swimming, a sport like soccer or tennis (something that will keep you running, so unfortunately mini golfing doesn't count!) As important as aerobic exercise is for your health and your body, to get that toned look you will also have to do some resistant exercise.  Try joining an exercise class like pilates. and to make it more enjoyable try dragging along a friend, not only will this make it more fun but will also encourage you to stay in the class and not back out! If you can't get to a gym, for whatever reason, you don't have to worry about a thing because you can still do exercises from home by popping in a exercise DVD. Don't have any? Well that's OK you can still exercise by following the routine below.

For the following exercises do 3 sets of 10- 15 reps 3-4 times a week.

Side Lunges         












One Leg Bicep Curl                          






     Dips

Swimmers  
(you can do this one without a ball, but it is more challenging.)

Exercise Ball Lifts 
Lateral Raise
Triceps Kickbacks
Front Lunges
Superman/Superwoman

Do any type of resistance exercise you want but be sure to do it 3- 4 times a week and aerobic exercises for at least 30 minutes a day to ensure results!

Diet

In order to have success you will have to tweak your diet at least for this 2 week program.
To be successful you will have to cut back on all processed foods like white bread, white rice, pasta, delicious pastries that are made with white flour.Also you will have to eliminate sugary drinks like juice, pop (that includes diet pop too! pshh who needs pop anyways besides pop totally makes you bloated :) !!!) Try to stay away from red meats and instead eat turkey, chicken, or fish. Try to stay away from saturated fats and instead enjoy the good fats. Make sure you do not eliminate good fats and carbs (like nuts, veggies, avocado, brown rice and beans, etc.) or else you will never feel full and end up overeating other stuff! And of course STAY FAR AWAY FROM DRIVE-THRU'S.

I know it sucks but just picture yourself and how you will look in 2 weeks in your bikini. Hopefully that will keep you motivated.

Good luck!

Don't forget to tell me how it works out for you, and if you want send in pics I would love to see your Bikini Bods!

Sincerely,
Keys


** new update** july 14 2011



Facials, Facials, Facials! - Beauty & Health

As summer break approaches fast and steadily, it's time to get ourselves in tip top shape. I figure since your face is the first person someone should see, that we would start there. Now for the summer, I would imagine that most would want to have that fresh face summer glow. The best way to get that would be to treat your skin with a facial. So today, I'm going to show you how you can get clear radiant skin with these all natural homemade facial mask for every type of skin. The following masks will all be fairly simple to make and will be using common kitchen ingredients, which will insure you that the ingredients are safe and natural.

An Exfoliating Scrub
The Sugar Scrub
Ingredients: 2 tbsp of sugar
                  3 tbsp of water
Instructions: Stir sugar into warm water, so that it melts. It is important that the granules dissolve or else they can tear your skin. Rinse with warm water or a warm steamed washcloth. (NOTE: make sure wash cloth isn't too hot, to avoid skin injury.)

Face Masks

The Baking Soda Mask
This mask is the easiest to make as it only uses 2 ingredients. It is most idea for normal to oily skin, and it also fights against acne.
Ingredients: Baking Soda
                  Water
Instructions: Mix enough baking soda and water to
                   make a thick paste.
                   Apply mask to skin, avoiding your eyes.
                   Relax with the mask on for 20 minutes.
                   After 20 minutes, you can wash your face
                   and feel the softness and the clarity of
                   your skin.

The Egg Yolk Mask
There are two variations of this mask, one that uses only the egg white and the other that use only egg yolk.

The egg white mask is good for oily skin, because it draws out the oils, as well as tightens the pores.

The egg yolk mask is good for dry to normal skin and is also great for scarring as it contains Vitamin A.

Egg white instructions: Beat egg white until frothy, then apply to the face with either clean fingers or a clean sponge/makeup brush. Leave on for 20 minutes. Wash off with lukewarm water.

Egg yolk instructions: Beat egg yolk , and then apply to face with clean fingers or a clean sponge/makeup brush. Leave on for 20 minutes. Wash off with lukewarm water.

The Apple and Honey Face Mask.
This is another tightening pores mask.
Ingredients: 1/2 apple
                  3 tbsp of honey
Instructions: Peel and Cut apple into thin slices.
                   Blend apple pieces and 3 tbsp of honey to
                   make a smooth paste.
                   Apply to skin and let it sit for 15 minutes.
                   Rinse with lukewarm water.

The Oatmeal Mask
This mask is like an all purpose mask, it does everything from getting rid of excess oil and pimples to getting rid of dead skin and cleaning pores with the properties from apple then the honey works as antibacterial ointment that gets rid of bacteria that can cause infections. It is also idea for sensitive skin.
Ingredients: 1/2 boiled apple.
                  1 tsp. of honey
                  2 tsp. of ground oatmeal.
Instructions: Mix all ingredients to get a consistent
                   paste.
                   Apply and Relax for 10- 15 minutes.
                   Then wash off carefully with
                   lukewarm water.

Bonus Facial Mask

The Chocolate Mask
This mask is great for moisturizing your skin which will give you a glow as well as put you in a great mood!
Ingredients: 2 dark chocolate bars
                  2/3 cup of milk
                  2 tsp. of sea salt
Instructions: Melt dark chocolate using either a double boiler or simply by popping in the microwave. (NOTE: Make sure you use a microwave safe dish and take precaution when removing from the microwave)
                   Mix salt with 2/3 of milk.
                   Mix heated chocolate with salt/ milk
                   mixture.
                   Allow to cool.
                   Apply to your face when cool but not
                   hardened.
                   Relax for 15- 20 minutes.
                   Chip or wash of with warm water and a
                   mild cleanser.


So there are the homemade facial masks that you can use, below are instructions for a full spa like treatment.

First use a cleanser of your choice to remove some of the dirt and grease off your face.
Then use the Sugar Exfoliating Scrub, to remove dead skin and traces of makeup and dirt. This will give your skin a healthy, smooth glowing look.
Next you want open to up those pores, so that you can give your skin a deep clean. do this by standing over a pot of steaming water, or jumping in a hot shower. ( Make sure that the water isn't too hot) you can finish off with splashing slightly hot water on your face just to  make sure your pores are open.
Now you can apply one of the homemade mask above to you face and leave on for the designated time. This is a great time to just sit and relax by reading a book/magazine, listening to music, or just getting lost in your own thoughts. Optional: For an extra rejuvenating feel try cutting up 2 slices of cucumber for the eyes.
After the designated time of the face mask, wash off with lukewarm water, and additionally seal the deal with a splash of cold water to close your pores.

So there you have it, to jazz things up and make it more exciting invite some of your friends over for a spa day at your house or for a sleepover party!

Don't forget to comment and let me know how things worked out for you, or which was your personal fave.

Thursday, June 9, 2011

Hot TV Shows for your Summer Break

As summer approaches, some of you may be saddened by the fact that your favourite television series has come to the end of their season, but don't fret, TV won't be a complete bore this summer, because I've done some research to find out which series will be on this season.

On my personal TV guide there will be some returning series, and some will be potentially interesting new series.

Starting in the month of June ABC Family has some of our favourite returning series, like Pretty Little Liars starting June 14 which is a mystery about a teenage girl and clique with many secrets, speaking of secrets;   The Secret Life of the American Teenager which had the season finale of season 3 this week, returns this Monday, June 13 with season 4, yay! Some other shows that will be premiering this summer on ABC Family are The Nine Lives of Chloe King which is about a girl who discovers she has special powers and has to figure out what entails with them based on the novel by Celia Thomson, The Great State of Georgia is a 30 minute sitcom about an aspiring actress from the south who wants to make a household name, she embarks on a great adventure and moves to New York, and in Switched at Birth this scripted drama is about two teenage girls who find out that they were switched as newborns in a hospital, this premiered June 6. All of these series are seemingly promising.

On MTV, a new series called Teen Wolf actually premiered this past Sunday, June 5. I haven't quite had the chance to watch it yet, but it does look intriguing and I plan to watch it after I finish writing this post.

If you are in to "reality shows" here are three that will be returning, Keeping up with the Kardashians starts their 6th season this weekend on June 12, in this season it is suppose to show a little about the newly engaged couple Kim Kardashian and Kris Humphries. In July, Teen Mom comes back for their third season about the struggles of 4 teenage mothers, Amber, Leah, Catelynn, and Farah(July 5). Later in July, E!News's Giuliana Rancic returns with her 4th season of Giuliana& Bill(July 18). And finally near the end of the summer a new series begins, The Lying Game based on the original novel by Sara Shepard presents its pilot on August 15.

So there you have it your 2011 Summer TV Guide so that there will never be a dull moment!

Below are the links for some of the trailers for these series:

Pretty Little Liars http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q_0xiWwPcVA&feature=related
The Great State of Georgia http://abcfamily.go.com/shows/state-georgia/videos-details/promos/state-of-georgia-meet-georgia-and-joe/pl_PL55120582/vd_VD55129858
Switched at Birth http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1GD4xFZjneQ
Teen Wolf http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ku6MC6a5Ur8
Keeping up with the Kardashians http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P-pYsWNtAQM
And` the Promo for The Nine Lives of Chloe King and The Secret Life of the American Teenager http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JAe6NhgBFWA

Enjoy! Check Back in for possible reviews and share your comments about any shows you may end up watching I would love to hear your opinions!

Sincerely yours,
keys

Wednesday, June 1, 2011

The Beginning

I am a ordinary 17 year old girl who is evolving and trying to find her way in the world. I have many passions varying from Books to TV to Fashion. As I am evolving, I have decided to document some of the things that I think about and share them with whoever is interested. Today I am going to talk about something that has been on my mind the last couple of days.


In life every girl gets to a point in her life, whether it be when she's 10, 16, 18,25 so on so on, where the things that she once loved and enjoyed, don't seem to please her anymore. You grow discontent with the things that use to make you happy. Well, it's like that for me. It's like one day your content with lower name brands such as Stitches, Aeropostale, Garage,etc. Then the next you want to have all the Gucci sunglasses and Rock and Republic jeans in the world. But when it comes down to it, no ordinary young women can afford to buy every luxury item she spies with her little eyes. So I have been pondering the last couples of days for a solution, and I have come up with a compromise; I have decided that whenever there is an opportunity to make it myself, that is exactly what I shall do. So in the hope that there are other girls out there like me that may be interest in D.I.Y (doing it yourself) I will share the steps of how to make my projects with you!

This week, I saw in Seventeen Magazine, Kim Kardashian wearing a nautical looking knotted headband by Jennifer Behr which you should know retails for approx. $200. It looked simple enough, so as my first D.I.Y project, I decided to give it a shot and try to make my own variation of the knotted headband. So below are the steps of how to make this nautical headband.

Knotted Headband

What you will need:
2 metres of rope (whatever colour you desire)
1/2 yard of 1 inch twill (suggested colour black)
an elastic band
sewing needle
thread (suggested colour black)

Step 1: Cut your rope in half, you will then have 2 equal pieces.



Step 2: Fold both pieces in half.
Step 3:  Put tape on the edges so that the rope wont unravel











Step 4: Take the hoop part of your folded rope and loop it over itself.




Step 5: Take the second piece of rope( Piece B) and put it through the first piece of rope (Piece A).
                                       
Step 6: Loop piece B over itself (as done for Piece A)



Step 7: Pull both sides slowly. (you now have your knot!)

Step 8: Measure the complete piece around your head leaving about 2 inches between both ends. Cut off excess material.
Step 9: Take the twill and wrap it over the elastic band and Side A.
Step 10: Sew the twill over the rope.
Step 11: Wrap the twill around the other side of the rope( Side B) along with the elastic.

Step 12: Sew the twill over the rope of Side B.

     Step 13: Sew all borders of the twill to give it that finished polished look.





So there you have it, your own knotted headband that I personally think goes well with this season's fashion.
In the near future, I may try my hand at some more complex knots.


And of course tell you about anymore D.I.Y projects and whatever else comes to my mind.
So stay posted.